Joseph Chamberlain: a Romance of Modern Politics. By Arthur Mee.
(S. W. Partridge and Co. is. 6d net.)—Mr. Mee gives unstinted praise to the municipal life of Mr. Chamberlain, and praise, leas absolute indeed, but in ample measure, to his conduct of the Colonial Office. He is not, therefore, one of the malignant faction which would sacrifice everything to "give Joe a fall." But he is not a friend. He insists on the Republicanism
which has been discarded. We may remind him of Southey's saying, that a man no more needs to be ashamed of having been a Republican than he needs to be ashamed of having been young. There are many, too, whom the history cf the last forty years, beginning with the Trent' incident, have converted from the Republican to the Monarchical creed. Compare England, France, and the United States,—which comes out the best? As for English politics, it is impossible to discuss them. But how many are there who regret the Hoine-rule Bill which was thrown out by the Lords in 1593 ? How many would make it law if they could to-morrow ? Who would like to give the Nationalists a free hand in Ireland ? It was from these things that Mr. Chamberlain did more than any man alive to save us.
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